The Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) provides an alternative evaluation process for organizations already accredited by the Commission. AQIP is structured around quality improvement principles and processes and involves a structured set of goal-setting, networking, and accountability activities.

The goal of this site is to provide a continuously updated picture of Sinclair's journey toward improving the way it operates. In short, we want you to see how are we improving what we do, so our students have the very best opportunity to learn. We believe that's why quality and reaccreditation are so important--helping students learn.

We currently have three action projects directly aimed at this all-important goal: (1) Building a Holistic Advising System; (2) Institutional Policy Review; and (3) Optimizing Course Scheduling for Student Success and Completion. In addition to these action projects, we developed and implemented our systems portfolio which is a comprehensive view of systems and processes in the college aimed at continuous improvement. The team leaders from the action projects, along with their committee members, are working hard to improve major areas of the college. There are nine categories which guide these action projects and around which the system portfolio is built:

(1) Helping Students Learn

Identifies the shared purpose of all higher education organizations and is accordingly the pivot of any institutional analysis. This criterion focuses on the teaching-learning processes within a formal instructional context, yet also addresses how the entire organization contributes to student learning and overall student development.

(2) Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives

Addresses the processes that contribute to the achievement of the major objectives that complement student learning and fulfill other portions of the mission.

(3) Understanding Students' and Other Stakeholders' Needs

Examines how the organization works actively to understand student and other stakeholder needs.

(4) Valuing People

Explores commitment to the development of faculty, staff, and administrators, since the efforts of all are required for success.

(5) Leading and Communicating

Addresses how the leadership and communication structures, networks, and processes guide the organization in setting directions, making decisions, seeking future opportunities, and building and sustaining a learning environment.

(6) Supporting Institutional Operations

Addresses the support processes that help provide an environment in which learning can thrive.

(7) Measuring Effectiveness

Examines how the organization collects, analyzes, and uses information to manage itself and to drive performance improvment.

(8) Planning Continuous Improvement

Examines the planning processes and how strategies and action plans are helping achieve the mission and vision.

(9) Building Collaborative Relationships

Examines the orgnization's relationships--current and potential--to analyze how they contribute to accomplishing the mission.

You can also read about our three action projects at the The Higher Learning Commission North Central Association's (NCA) official AQIP homepage by clicking this link: AQIP

If you have questions or suggestions about anything you see on this site, please contact one the following individuals listed below: